Mrs D’Ath today attended the inaugural meeting of the interim reference group for the new Jobs Queensland skills advisory body in Brisbane.

“This is the next step to delivering on our election commitment to establish Jobs Queensland as an independent body to drive industry advice to the government on skills demand and long-term workforce needs in Queensland, now and into the future,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“We want to make sure we have the high-skilled workforce to deliver innovation, respond to workforce demand and we want to ensure that all Queenslanders are given the opportunity – now and in the years to come – to get ahead and build a career.

“This is a vital first step but there is more work to be done and Jobs Queensland will help us meet the challenges of the future.”

Mrs D’Ath said the interim reference group will guide the initial establishment of Jobs Queensland until its board is formally appointed.

“Today’s meeting is an important step in implementing the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to work with industry, to ensure sectors and regions across the state have access to the skilled workforce they require now and into the future,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The Palaszczuk Government looks forward to receiving professional industry-based advice from Jobs Queensland to inform its strategies for job creation.”

Mrs D’Ath said Jobs Queensland is an independent statutory authority that started when the Jobs Queensland Act 2015 came into effect early in January.

Mrs D’Ath said Jobs Queensland will help deliver on the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to decentralise staff, with 10 secretariat staff to be located at the Icon building at Ipswich to support board members and guide future workforce planning across the state.